A PARTY OF VIP GUESTS ATTENDED GREENACRES IN HATFIELD FOR NATIONAL CARE HOME OPEN DAY
On Friday 28th June 2019, Greenacres in Hatfield opened its doors to the general public as part of ‘National Care Home Open Day’.
National Care Home Open Day is a UK wide initiative inviting care homes to open their doors to their local communities. Thousands of care homes across the UK take part each year, welcoming the public to join in with a variety of events and activities that help to create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities. The event focus is about showing people what excellent care homes are really about and how they can be at the centre of local communities as well as breaking down the myths surrounding care homes.
Greenacres is a 60-bed care home and daycare centre managed by not for profit care provider, Quantum Care. Services range from residential care, specialist dementia care, respite stays and daycare.
VIP guests arrived to see residents enjoying some light armchair exercise by Zumba Gold tutor Liz Holmes. Guests included The Right Honourable Grant Shapps MP, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Councillor Roger Trigg, Hatfield Town Mayor Councillor Linda Mendez, local Councillor Pankit Shah and Councillor Elect James Bond. Greenacres Home Manager Coni Anang led the party on a tour of the home along with Quantum Care’s Chief Executive Maria Ball.
Following the tour, guests were given the opportunity to trial the new innovative technology that is being used in rehabilitation and healthcare settings around the world. The Yetitablet is a large screen used to improve the lives of people that do not use basic internet services due to a number of factors such as ease of use, mobility or sight. The Yetitablet's large screen enables new group activities that were unimaginable before. Greenacres are currently trialling the Yetitablet and so far the feedback from residents and visitors to the home has been positive.
The party concluded with a live singer performing songs from a variety of eras. MP Grant Shapps surprised guests and residents with his zest for life when he joined in and sang a verse of a popular song. Guests stayed for lunch following the cutting of a welcome cake by MP Grant Shapps and a resident at Greenacres.
The Right Honourable Grant Shapps MP commented on the day:
“It was a pleasure to visit Greenacres and to meet some of the residents and to get involved in the activities to help celebrate National Care Home Open Day.“
“We often sit up and notice the bad news stories involving care homes so it’s really important that we celebrate the great ones such as Greenacres and the role their residents play in our community. I’d also like to pay tribute to the hardworking staff not just for organising this event but for all they do. I’d urge anyone to learn more about their local care home and am already looking forward to joining in the Zumba again next year!”
Quantum Care’s Chief Executive Officer Maria Ball commented:
“Quantum Care takes part in this National initiative every year and has done so since it was first launched 7 years ago. As a community-focused organisation, we believe it is vitally important for our residents to feel part of the community in which they live and we therefore regularly host events open to the public at all 25 homes in Herts, Beds and Essex.
“We feel privileged that our VIP guests chose Greenacres to visit on National Care Home Open Day and we really hope that they enjoyed their time with us as much as we did.”